Director for Flame Ministries International, Eddie Russell hopes participants will be able to deepen their relationship with Christ through the courses offered. Photo: Supplied.

By Josh Low

Providing all Catholics with the opportunity for an experiential and active knowledge of the Word of God is the aim behind Flame Ministries International’s (FMI) new Catholic Online Bible College.

The college seminar unfolds over seven modules with an aim of bringing students to a greater understanding, depth and formation in the Word of God, while also preparing participants to become effective witnesses of the Gospel.

Director for Flame Ministries International, Eddie Russell, said that the idea of a Bible College has been present since FMI’s foundation in 1990 and hopes participants will be able to deepen their relationship with Christ through the courses offered.

“Experiential knowledge makes Jesus a personal reality that brings about a deep relationship allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us, speak to us, guide us, empower us, and bring into our personal lives the fullness of the Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit.

“The subject matter throughout, unfolds the Biblical understanding and contents, applying them to what they mean for us today,” he explained.

Having been established over 27 years ago, Mr Russell said everything taught at FMI is faithful to the Church and its Dogmas, with the Canons as a Public Association giving the authority to preach and teach in the name of the Roman Catholic Church.

Teaching subjects are based on Sacred Scripture in line with Ad Gentes, Dei Verbum, Verbum Domini, and the Catholic Catechism. Photo: Sourced.

“All the teaching subjects are based first and foremost on Sacred Scripture in line with Ad Gentes, Dei Verbum, Verbum Domini, and the Catholic Catechism,” he said.

“The Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church enable people to see that God has a plan for their lives and that can form a vision for them to achieve and to base their hope upon.

“A proper knowledge and understanding of the Bible and Catechism, will be of great spiritual benefit.”

He added that hearing how seminars have blessed or changed the lives of participants with a new love for the Church and the Eucharist has been a highlight, and encourages anyone interested to come and deepen their understanding of the faith.

“It is inspiring when students report revelational understanding into the mysteries of the Word and how it is absorbed into a life-changing experience.

“It demonstrates the living Word active in people’s lives as we intend with everything that Flame Ministries does,” he said.

“The first course now online is, ‘The Catholic Bible Seminar’ with the first module being free with no obligations.

“The idea is to give people a taste so they can decide if they wish to continue,” he concluded.

Josh Low is a journalist and photographer for the Archdiocese of Perth. With double degrees in Journalism and Media & Communication Studies, he has previous experience in journalism for Croatian television while abroad, along with several years in youth ministry for the Archdiocese.